Umbrella apparatus

Abstract

A lawn or patio umbrella with an integral lighting system that utilizes cold cathode ray tubes, light emitting diodes (LED's), or florescent lights, to provide relatively bright outdoor light for reading and other activities that require relatively high light intensities is provided. In one embodiment, a modular, electrically powered lawn or patio umbrella in which lighting systems, such as those utilizing cold cathode tubes, LED's, or florescent lights; cooling systems, such as those utilizing electric fans or misting systems; and motorized retraction systems; can be selectively interchanged is provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An umbrella apparatus, comprising:
 a hollow pole portion; 
 a canopy portion hingedly coupled to the pole portion, the canopy portion having a plurality of rib members; 
 a power system charger carried by the pole portion above the canopy portion; 
 a rechargeable electrical power system conductively coupled to the power system charger for proving electrical power to the umbrella apparatus; 
 a solar cell conductively coupled to the power system charger, the power system charger and the solar cell being adapted to collect solar energy and convert the solar energy into electrical energy, the power system charger being conductively coupled to the rechargeable electrical power system, such that the solar energy collected and converted into electrical energy recharges the rechargeable electrical power system; 
 a lighting system carried by the canopy; 
 wires for conductively coupling the lighting system to the rechargeable electrical power system, the wires being fully recessed within the rib members; and 
 electrical wiring conductively coupled to the power system charger and the rechargeable electrical power system, the electrical wiring extending down from the power system charger through the interior of the pole portion, the electrical wiring including connectors configured for connection to an AC power source; 
 wherein the lighting system includes multiple discrete light emitting diode elements positioned along a rib member; and 
 wherein each light emitting diode element is fully recessed within the corresponding rib member. 
 
     
     
       2. The umbrella apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the connectors configured for connection to the AC power source are carried by the pole. 
     
     
       3. The umbrella apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an electrical opening and closing system for actuating the canopy portion between an opened position and a closed position. 
 
     
     
       4. The umbrella apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the electrical opening and closing system comprises:
 an electric motor conductively coupled to the rechargeable electrical power system; and 
 a crank housing coupled to the pole portion, the crank housing having switches for operating the electric opening and closing system. 
 
     
     
       5. The umbrella apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the rechargeable electrical power system is disposed in a housing that surrounds the pole portion.